"Jail them": Fury after baby forced to vape while family laughs

WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT

A disturbing video of an 11-month-old baby boy smoking a vape has surfaced online, sparking outrage among locals.

In the footage, a mother from Kempsey on the NSW mid-north coast is shown watching on and smiling as the baby’s aunt places the vape into his mouth.

In the background, other people, which are believed to be family, are seen laughing at the sinister act as the baby coughs and breathes out the smoke.

Although the family seemed to be enjoying the baby’s distress, hundreds were furious by the footage when it surfaced online.

“Who gives their kid a vape, grow up and be a better mother,” one person said.

“How can you put the vape up to your own son’s mouth and watch him suck on it and laugh while he’s choking and coughing.”

Angered viewers added they were “disgusted” by the family’s action.

“It’s terrible, everyone can’t believe it. Why would you give a young baby, a vape?” a local said 7NEWS.

"Disgusting... I can’t believe this,” another said.

Experts say not only is the baby in the video at risk but other children could also be exposed if this kind of behaviour is normalised.

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“It is incredibly alarming to see that video of that poor child,” Paige Preston from the Lung Foundation told 7NEWS.

“This is a massive concern because it does normalise vaping, it makes light of something that is incredibly dangerous to children and to adults.”

Preston added that research shows e-cigarette use and vaping can lead to lung damage, both short and long-term.

2GB radio host Ben Fordham also weighed in on the sinister act on his talk show, saying, “What is wrong with people? Your brains must be fried.”

“Whoever is responsible should spend some time behind bars!” he added.

Comments posted with the video suggest the 1-month-old boy has been taken to hospital.

It’s not clear if he is suffering any symptoms or if he was just there for observation.

Experts suggest parents should seek medical advice from the poisons hotline or the emergency room if they believe a child has ingested smoke from a vape.

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Police told 7News they are aware of the video, and there is an investigation underway.

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